johnr
Kit Basher
Posts: 95
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Post by johnr on May 10, 2015 20:10:37 GMT
I was looking through the financial report and was astonished to find that the magazine costs around £46000 to print and dispatch which means that around £15 of my £23 subscription goes towards its production. I know it's 'produced by modellers for modellers' but this modeller never has found much worth reading, let alone keeping and is beginning to wonder if it is more of a vanity item than a valuable reference. Surely there are enough magazines and websites out there already? Could this matter be discussed at the AGM under AOB? I would do so if I was able to attend. How about asking the membership if they need it? I wonder how many of them realise how much of their subscription goes towards its production. I realise that this may ruffle a few feathers but it does represent a drain on the Society's funds and in view of the rising distribution costs it might be time to 'think the unthinkable' John Rieley
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MikeC
Moderator
Too many SIGs for my own good!
Posts: 804
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Post by MikeC on May 11, 2015 5:35:09 GMT
In a word, yes. In a few more words I believe so. It is a useful communication tool, and that rises to essential for those who do not have the internet. Even for those of us who do, there is still something about a paper magazine that reading something off the screen just cannot replace.
However, having said that, it is right to question these things from time to time, and it may well be worth a discussion.
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johnr
Kit Basher
Posts: 95
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Post by johnr on May 11, 2015 12:33:23 GMT
But does it have to be a glossy magazine? Communication could be done via the internet for those who have it and by mailshot for those who haven't John
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Post by NoelSmith on May 12, 2015 16:46:04 GMT
John. How would you differentiate who has access to the Internet and who not to do what you suggest, let alone perpetually monitor it? IPMS Magazine is not meant to go head to head with commercial model making magazines, as its primary purpose is to reach out and keep ALL members up to date with current society affairs. I have access to the internet but still like to have a proper quality society journal. IPMS mag has the balance about right with all the news that we need along with contributors articles. It cannot hope to publish articles that will please every one every issue.
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Post by karlwb on May 12, 2015 19:37:42 GMT
Personally, I look forward to receiving the IPMS Magazine. It's the only paper magazine I 'buy' these days.
I do enjoy the articles but I like it mostly for the club information and editorials and other events info so I for one would be disappointed to see it go.
I'd contribute an article(s) but not sure how to, nor am I convinced my work is up to scratch to put in the IPMS mag.
Karl
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Post by John Tapsell on May 13, 2015 11:52:39 GMT
I suppose it depends on how you define a 'drain' on resources. In the context of a steadily increasing membership, a stable financial position and a conscious decision taken many years ago to provide members with a high quality product rather than a newsletter, the Magazine is a valuable and useful item.
We can afford the quality of magazine we produce - it is still the only means of communication that reaches ALL members and a printed format is still the preferred format for the vast majority of our members. It also represents a valuable recruiting tool as potential members can get a feel for we we produce and what we're about.
In another context, entry to Scale ModelWorld is currently £10 per day for the public, so in return for your 'free' two-day entry to the show every year as an IPMS member, you get six high quality magazines for the remaining £3.00 of you annual subscription. It all depends on how you define the return you get from IPMS for your annual subscription. It also ignores the other benefits that are available to Society members, directly or indirectly (insurance cover for show organisers, discounts with various traders and manufacturers, the Branch and SIG network for example).
Whilst you personally may feel that it has little of value within it, doesn't mean to say that other members consider the magazine a waste of time and resources. Personally, I find that the articles are interesting and varied. They rarely cover subjects of direct interest to me, but they are generally well researched and informative. I'm interested in how other people build models and what they build models of.
If you could let me have your membership number and full name, I will undertake to raise the matter as an AOB at the AGM on your behalf (Email the details to me at publicity@ipmsuk.co.uk).
Regards, John
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Post by GR1 on May 16, 2015 16:10:04 GMT
Karl If you like the idea of contributing, drop the editor a line and tell him what you'd like to write about... Don can advise if you're unsure about what format, etc., and I'm sure he'd be pleased to hear from you. I've always felt that another positive aspect of the IPMS mag is the opportunity it gives for Members to gain confidence in writing reviews, reports and articles. It's interesting to note that many of the 'names' in the commercial publishing world cut their teeth right here... Go for it! Chris Personally, I look forward to receiving the IPMS Magazine. It's the only paper magazine I 'buy' these days. I do enjoy the articles but I like it mostly for the club information and editorials and other events info so I for one would be disappointed to see it go. I'd contribute an article(s) but not sure how to, nor am I convinced my work is up to scratch to put in the IPMS mag. Karl
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perdu
Sprue Cutter
Posts: 34
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Post by perdu on May 23, 2015 14:20:57 GMT
I like the mag and I almost never directly relate to the items in it, but it always shows me something NEW for exactly that reason
If I buy a magazine in a shop it will be because it refers to an interest of my own, the exotica in the IPMS mag always come out of left field and invariably give me extra-interest value because of it
If it becomes an issue I'd attend an AGM to speak for it and it has been many years since I did that
Bill Mohan
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Post by NoelSmith on Jul 13, 2015 20:14:38 GMT
Further to my earlier post about the value of the IPMS Magazine, have you noticed the really in depth scratch building and modification articles that appear regularly in OUR magazine. This is where our magazine scores as the commercials appear to be more biased towards models built from kits and using proprietary after market stuff. Not surprising as they get shed loads of review kits etc.,and naturally they probably feel obliged to have to produce reviews and articles as a result. Long term members of IPMS will probably remember the original Scale Models Magazine when it was published by MAP. It was a superb general magazine with really good lengthy informative articles and great plans and line drawings. The tendency these days seems to be less in the way of wordage and the magazines are more like picture books with minimal text. Yes, I have heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, but actually I have not lost the ability to read, do not have the attention span of a gnat, and do like a magazine that I can actually spend a bit of time reading instead of browsing! IPMS magzine satisfies in this respect. My only small criticism would be with the post SMW magazine issue. I would like to see more emphasis on the competition models at the show being better featured and less pictures of various groups of grinning people posing for the camera at the IPMS Banquet. Not sure about whether the banquet is fully or partially funded by attendees as £5955.00 gross showing on the profit and loss accounts for 2014 function includes hotel accommodation expenses. Perhaps this could be broken down for transparency in future profit and loss accounts for the membership to see. e.g. How much is being spent for hospitality at the banquet and how much is being spent on accommodation for guests as opposed to people directly involved with running the show.
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Post by jonathanidf on Jul 23, 2015 16:51:46 GMT
I think Perdu has hit the nail on the head, IPMS magazine has variety & exotica, but in some respects is repetitive with the excessive (??) coverage of SMW & the run up to SMW. I'm also a member of the Armour Preservation Society (AMPS) as that is where my real interest lie, the magazine from AMPS is less frequent but not as comprehensive, less colour & fewer pages.
I don't mind receiving the magazine as part of the package, maybe options need to be available, i.e. full membership with hard copy magazine, membership with online magazine, maybe membership with annual newsletter rather than magazine conetents?
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Post by photophil on Oct 14, 2015 7:26:55 GMT
As a disabled mainly house bound model-maker I really look forward to receiving the magazine, why oh why do people insist on internet reading when one of the countries leading book stores "Waterstones" are now banning the sale of kindles and all electronic books...
The magazine is my way of keeping ahead in the world of modeling and with out this magazine I for one would cancel my membership perhaps the ones who take up the hard copy of the magazine may be tempted to pay a little bit more for their membership
PhotoPhil
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Post by keefr22 on Oct 18, 2015 16:53:02 GMT
As a disabled mainly house bound model-maker I really look forward to receiving the magazine, why oh why do people insist on internet reading when one of the countries leading book stores "Waterstones" are now banning the sale of kindles and all electronic books... That's ironic, seeing as they were amongst the first to stock them!! I'm in a similar situation to yourself but far rather reading stuff on the internet & my Kindle these days as I struggle to hold a book for any length of time. I'm ambivalent toward the magazine to be honest, I rarely read the articles, maybe because I waste so much time on the internet! Keith
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Post by chadders on Oct 26, 2015 17:09:31 GMT
I definitely enjoy receiving them, and have collected them all since I joined. It adds to the value of the club in my eyes.
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kev67
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by kev67 on Nov 30, 2015 12:35:59 GMT
I enjoy receiving these magazines as well, I'm not saying that everything is my cup of tea mind you, but it can still be a good read, and as mentioned before some members do not have the internet
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